ASTM C999-05

Standard Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determination of Radionuclides

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Soil samples prepared for radionuclide analyses by this practice can be used to monitor fallout distribution from nuclear facilities. This practice is intended to produce a homogeneous sample from which a relatively small aliquot (10 g) may be drawn for radiochemical analyses.
Most nuclear facilities fulfill major requirements of their monitoring programs by gamma-ray spectrometry measurements of soil. A widely used practice for these measurements is to fill a calibrated sample container, such as a Marinelli beaker (∼600-mL volume), with a homogenized soil sample. By preparing the entire soil core collection, sufficient homogeneous sample is available for radiochemical and gamma-ray spectrometry measurements.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the preparation of surface soil samples collected for chemical analysis of radionuclides, particularly uranium and plutonium. This practice describes one acceptable approach to the preparation of soil samples for radiochemical analysis.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. A specific hazard statement is given in Note 1.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2005
• ICS: 13.080.05 - Examination of soils in general
• Technical Committee: C26 - Nuclear Fuel Cycle
• Drafting Committee: C26.05 - Methods of Test

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C999-90(2000) - Standard Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determination of Radionuclides
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2005
• Replaced By: ASTM C999-05(2010)e1 - Standard Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determination of Radionuclides
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Referred By: ASTM C1387-23 - Standard Guide for the Determination of Technetium-99 in Soil
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2005
• Referred By: ASTM C1001-19 - Standard Test Method for Radiochemical Determination of Plutonium in Soil by Alpha Spectroscopy
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2005
• Referred By: ASTM C1475-17 - Standard Guide for Determination of Neptunium-237 in Soil
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2005
• Referred By: ASTM C1000-19 - Standard Test Method for Radiochemical Determination of Uranium Isotopes in Soil by Alpha Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2005
• Referred By: ASTM C1507-20 - Standard Test Method for Radiochemical Determination of Strontium-90 in Soil
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2005
• Referred By: ASTM C1402-17 - Standard Guide for High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometry of Soil Samples
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2005
• Referred By: ASTM E1893-15(2021) - Standard Guide for Selection and Use of Portable Radiological Survey Instruments for Performing In Situ Radiological Assessments to Support Unrestricted Release from Further Regulatory Controls
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2005
• Referred By: ASTM C1205-20 - Standard Test Method for The Radiochemical Determination of Americium-241 in Soil by Alpha Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2005

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation:C999–05
Standard Practice for
Soil Sample Preparation for the Determination of
1
Radionuclides
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C999; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4.2 Mostnuclearfacilitiesfulfillmajorrequirementsoftheir
monitoring programs by gamma-ray spectrometry measure-
1.1 This practice covers the preparation of surface soil
mentsofsoil.Awidelyusedpracticeforthesemeasurementsis
samples collected for chemical analysis of radionuclides,
to fill a calibrated sample container, such as a Marinelli beaker
particularly uranium and plutonium. This practice describes
(;600-mL volume), with a homogenized soil sample. By
one acceptable approach to the preparation of soil samples for
preparing the entire soil core collection, sufficient homoge-
radiochemical analysis.
neous sample is available for radiochemical and gamma-ray
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
spectrometry measurements.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Apparatus
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5.1 Scale, capacity of 10 kg.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. A specific hazard
5.2 Drying Oven, able to maintain 62°C.
statement is given in Note 1.
5.3 Pans, disposable aluminum.
2. Referenced Documents 5.4 Jar Mill, capacity for 7.57-L (2-gal) cans.
2
5.5 Steel Cans and Lids, 7.57-L (2-gal).
2.1 ASTM Standards:
13 13
5.6 Ceramic Rods, 21 by 21-mm ( ⁄16 by ⁄16-in.) or steel
C998 Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
grinding balls, 25.4-mm (1-in.) diameter.
E11 SpecificationforWovenWireTestSieveClothandTest
5.7 Sieve, U.S. Series No. 35 (500-µm or 32 mesh).
Sieves
5.8 Plastic Bottles, 7.57-L (2-gal).
3. Summary of Practice
6. Procedure
3.1 Guidance is provided for the preparation of a homoge-
6.1 Label a cleaned 7.57-L (2–gal) steel can and lid with a
neous soil sample from ten composited core samples (aggre-
unique laboratory code number.
gateweightof4to5kg)collectedastoberepresentativeofthe
6.2 Weigh the labeled steel can and lid. Record the weight.
area.
6.3 Transfer the ten soil cores (including vegetation) from
4. Significance and Use
the field collection containers into the labeled, preweighed
steel can. Do not pack the can full. Place the steel lid loosely
4.1 Soil samples prepared for radionuclide analyses by this
on the can.
practice can be used to monitor fallout distribution from
nuclear facilities. This practice is intended to produce a
NOTE 1—Warning:Wear gloves throughout the preparation procedure
homogeneoussamplefromwhicharelativelysmallaliquot(10
to minimize the possibility of fungus infection.
g) may be drawn for radiochemical analyses.
6.4 Weigh the sample cores, steel can, and lid to 650 g.
Record the weight.
6.5 Remove the lid and place the sample in a 110°C drying
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear
oven for 24 h or longer, depending on the depth of soil in the
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Test
can, until the sample has reached constant weight.
Methods.
6.6 Remove the sample from the oven, cap the can with its
Current edition approved June 1, 2005. Published June 2005. Originally
lid, and cool to room temperature.
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as C999–90(2000).
DOI: 10.1520/C0999-05.
6.7 Weigh the dried sample cores, steel can, and lid to 650
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
g. Record the weight.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
6.8 Remove the can lid and add 10 to 12 ceramic rods (21
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. by 21-mm) or steel balls (25.4–mm diameter) to the can.
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C999–05
W 5T 2C (1)
6.9 Replace the lid and tightly seal the sample can.
6.10 Place the sample can on a jar mill for at least 4 h, or
where:
overnight if possible, at 30 r/min.
W = wet weight of the composited soil cores, g,
6.11 Remove the sample can from the mill and place in a
T = weight of the soil cores, steel can, and lid, g (from
hood.
6.4), and
6.12 Allow the sample to settle for a few minutes.
C = weight of the empty steel can and lid, g (from 6.2).
6.13 Label a 7.57-L (2-gal) plastic jar and cap with the
...